Perry Gilbert

Perry Gilbert

1/16/1934 — 10/2/2018

Perry Dale Gilbert, 84, of Orofino, found peace Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2018, at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center in Lewiston.

Perry was born Jan. 16, 1934, at home in Greenville, Tenn., to parents Floyd and Nancy Etta (Franklin) Gilbert. Knowing he wanted to serve his country and leave the family dairy farm, Perry was granted permission by his mother to enter the U.S. Marine Corps at age 17. He served in the Marine Corps from 1951 to 1982. During his military service, he completed a tour in the Korean War, where he suffered a gunshot wound to his left flank. But with his strength and determination, Perry immediately returned to active duty. Perry loved the Marine Corps and serving his country, and he was proud to be an American. He completed three tours of duty in Vietnam and retired with 30 years of service to his country.

Perry married Sandy Lee Broadwater on July 9, 1977, and gained two daughters. Together they had a daughter, Teresa Ann Gilbert. Perry was a wonderful father, loving husband and excellent provider.

Perry did not like sitting down or sitting still; after his military retirement he worked for Mitsubishi Bank in Escondido, Calif. After visiting close family friends and falling in love with the wilderness, he relocated his family to Orofino in 1989. Perry went to work for the U.S. Forest Service at the Lochsa and Powell ranger stations. He enjoyed his 10-day stretches in the woods with his pack mule team clearing trail, observing wildlife and fighting fire. A few of Perry’s favorite places included Stanley Butte and Seven Devils. After 15 years of service, Perry retired from the Forest Service and began providing property maintenance at several of Paul Pippenger’s businesses in Orofino. Perry was a diligent, responsible and dedicated employee and enjoyed his work until his retirement in June 2017.

In addition to working, Perry enjoyed being active. In California, he played competitive softball, coached daughter Teresa’s fast-pitch softball teams and fished off the Carlsbad Pier in Oceanside, Calif. He loved bowling, participated in several leagues, competed in local tournaments and bowled several perfect games (300). He frequently took Sandy fishing at Winchester Lake and Campbell’s Pond. He loved animals and wildlife, and there were many family pets (dogs and cats) throughout the years. Perry enjoyed feeding the squirrels peanuts and watching the turkeys and deer pass through the yard.

Perry is survived by his wife, Sandy; his daughter, Teresa Gilbert, and her spouse, Merrie Fleming, of Clarkston; grandson Justin Mellick of Clarkston; sister Elsie; brother Fred; and niece Francis of Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28 at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Orofino, with a hot covered dish-dinner. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Perry’s honor to the VFW Harold Kinne Post 3296.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the 3C nursing staff at SJRMC for taking such extraordinary care of Perry. Your kindness and compassion were life lines when we needed it most.

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1711 18th Street
Lewiston, Idaho 83501
(208) 743-4578
malcoms@malcomsfuneralhome.com